For many people, interviews are the scariest part of job hunting. But they shouldn't be! If you know what to expect and are ready for anything, there's nothing to worry about. And with the help of Arabian Woman, you can ace any interview that comes your way. We know all the tricks, from what to wear to what to say - even how to improve your chances of success after the interview is over
It's all in the mind
The first thing you have to do is make sure that you are going in with the right attitude. It may seem natural to be frightened about a job interview, but you just need to change the way you are thinking about it. Many people spend hours thinking about all the things that could go wrong, and then - not surprisingly - they do. Instead of thinking of an interview as a test where your potential employer is trying to trip you up, think of it instead as a chance to show off what you know and what you can do. This is your chance to prove yourself far better than a letter or a CV can ever do; think of it as a game or a performance.
Also, remember that the situation is not just about an employer interviewing you for a position - you are also interviewing them to see if the company is one that you would be happy being part of. If you believe this, you'll project the attitude of someone who has a lot of job offers to choose from, and is not just desperate to take the first offer that comes her way.
Positive thinking gurus such as Anthony Robbins recommend doing a 'visualisation' before going for an interview. Spend the evening before quietly picturing the interview going well in your head, like a movie. See yourself giving firm handshakes, hear yourself giving intelligent answers and feel yourself being relaxed and confident.
Preparation is vital
Like any test, you should prepare for a job interview ahead of time. Think about what the employer will want to know, and have some good answers ready. Employers want people who are motivated and positive, so make sure that any answer you give reflects these qualities.Although every interview is different, there are stock questions that always come up, and having an answer at your fingertips will make you more confident, and impress the interviewer. Take the time to think about a few scenarios where you have excelled yourself in the past, solved a difficult problem or made a real difference to your company; interviewers will often ask for examples of these and they can be hard to remember on the spur of the moment.
Another popular question is asking your weaknesses or faults; the savvy interviewee will know how to turn these negatives into a positive, admitting a weakness that can also be viewed as a strength. Explaining you have difficulties delegating, pay too much attention to detail or always feel the need to be challenged are good answers. The trick with answering negative questions about previous mistakes or failed jobs is to explain how you learnt from the experience and are now a better worker because of it. Practice one or two with a friend.
Employers are also looking for someone who has the skills that the job entails, rather than having to train someone from scratch. Research the company thoroughly, as "what do you know about us?" is another popular question, and "nothing" is not an acceptable answer. Look on their Website, ask around, read the newspapers. Think about what the company and the position needs, and prepare your skills so that they fit the picture. The job advertisement should also give you some clues as to what they are looking for. Think of an example or a way that you fit every specification that they have mentioned. Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be.
First impressions count
Know exactly where you are going and the name of who you will be meeting and speaking to when you get there. Although it may seem like common sense to arrive on time, always give yourself a good 15 minutes extra; this is not a day you want to get caught in a traffic jam and arrive flustered. Also, this gives you time to fill out an application form neatly when you arrive, if they have one. Give a firm handshake, look the interviewer in the eye and greet them by name.
It may sound obvious, but an interview is one occasion where you must be on your best behaviour. You never get a chance to make a second impression, and you want to be remembered for all the right reasons. Treat everyone you meet with politeness, from the MD to the office boy. Be on show from the moment you walk into the office; you may think no-one is watching you send gossip on your mobile for half an hour while you are waiting to be seen, but secretaries will often report back to the boss. There is a big list of don'ts; never chew gum or smoke, don't fidget, don't leave your phone on, and don't interrupt. Most importantly, don't be rude about your previous employers or anyone else in the market. Not only will this make you seem like negative rather than positive, but you never know what the interviewer's relationship to them might be. Your previous boss may be his golf partner.
You will probably be asked why you are looking at moving on from your previous job. Make sure that the answer makes you look like a motivated person who is trying to grow, rather than a difficult one who can't work with others.
Look the part
Research shows that a first impression has been made, based on what you look like, in the first ten seconds of a job interview.
The best advice we've ever heard is to dress as though you already have the job. Know what professionals in that field wear (discounting things like uniforms, of course!) and dress at the same level or above. However, if the office is casual, still dress smart. This is not the time to try out a new fashion trend or be even slightly shocking; a conservative suit fits any occasion. Make sure that it fits well and you are comfortable in it; nothing looks worse than someone who is constantly tugging on ' straps, pulling down a shirt, or stumbling on high heels.
Navy, black and grey give the most 'professional' image. Let the colour psychologists guide you for your accessories; red says you are confident and outgoing, yellow that you have a sense of humour, blue that you are intellectual and efficient and green that you can keep your head in a crisis.
Body language is exceptionally important.
Although you and the interviewer may not consciously notice how you are holding yourself, it does have an influence on the interview. Eye contact is a must, as this shows that you are confident, sincere and have nothing to hide. Avoid touching your face or ears, or fiddling; this indicates evasiveness or lying. Crossed arms or legs will make you seem unapproachable. Don't slouch, as this indicated slovenliness, and don't sit too far forward, as you'll appear tense. The trick is to sit upright but relaxed; drop your shoulders slightly and take a breath before starting.
Have an interview strategy
The interviewer is there to ask questions, and you are there to give confident, intelligent answers. No matter what they ask, make sure that your answers do one thing; explain how you are the right person for this position. There are no wrong answers to interview questions; but there are answers that will make you seem more suited for the job than others. One way to make sure that yours do is to verify your answers; when ask about strengths, give examples. Rather than saying "I'm a good salesperson", say "My ability to sell is shown in the fact that I exceeded my targets by 50 per cent every month last year." It may feel like showing off, but if you don't tell them, how will they know?
Make sure you ask questions too. Interviews are not a one-way street. Asking your own questions shows that you have thought seriously about the company before coming, and that you want to make sure that they would fit in with you as well as you with them. And remember, you need to find out if you really want this job!
Have at least half a dozen questions prepared that need more than a yes or no answer. Ask about the nature of the work, the opportunities for growth and development and the training given to new staff. Ask how the position you are applying for fits into the company structure, and what it means on a day-to-day basis. Also ask some questions about where the company is going and what its future strategies are, and how it is adapting to industry trends. Knowing what is going on in their industry and asking how they see it always comes across as very impressive to interviewers, so read around first.
Another good question is to ask what they are looking for in the perfect person to fill this job; you can then make sure you let them know that you fit all their criteria before the end of the interview. And remember - questioning the interviewer does not mean asking about wages or benefits! Wait until you have been offered the position to talk about money, and don't be the one to bring it up.
Stay calm, speak slowly and try to let the interview turn into a conversation, rather than a question and answer session. If the dialogue flows naturally then the interviewer will think that they have more in common with you and know you better than they actually do. Therefore, let them direct the conversation but take an active part in it by speaking freely and not giving one-word answers. You should never be over-friendly, but take the lead from the interviewer as to the tone of the discussion. If they are friendly and open, make yourself personable; if they are formal and reserved, be as businesslike yourself. Don't ramble and don't interrupt; if you feel you are going on too much, pause, collect your thoughts and summarise what you want to say. Research shows that successful job interviewees spend 50 per cent of the time listening, rather than doing all the talking.
Leave on the right note
Always express your interest in the job just before leaving. This doesn't mean saying anything desperate or false; just let them know that you are impressed with what you have seen so far, and that you look forward to hearing from them. Find out what the next step is; will they contact you or will you send them examples of your work? And then thank them for their time. You want to leave them with no doubt in their minds that you are the right person for the job.
The day after the interview, send a brief but polite letter or email saying how much you enjoyed meeting the interviewer, how interesting the discussion was, and how much you look forward to hearing from them. Keep it short and undemanding; selling yourself all over again will make you look desperate. Just say that you are very interested in the position, and thank them again for their time. Not only is it polite, but it puts you back in their mind in a positive way.
After it's all over, take time to think about the interview and write down what you think went wrong, and what you think came across well. Even if you don't get this job, you can only get better and better with each interview!
Practice makes perfect
Although you can never prepare for every eventuality in an interview, here are some of the common questions that come up:
Why did you apply for this job?
Why do you want to work for this company?
Why should I hire you?
What would you do if this happened?
What is your biggest strength?
What is your biggest weakness?
What was your worst mistake, and how did you learn from it?
What accomplishments in your last position are you most proud of?
Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
Why did you leave/ are you leaving your last job?
What do you want from this job?
What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
